Mao stood in the hall, staring at the sunset. The orange hues illuminated the hallway which created a strange, haze like vision. Mao wasn't admiring the view, but looked on with distaste. She closed her eyes, the sun's afterimage burned underneath her eyelids. It's color reminded her of a distant memory, one she'd rather not remember.
Her hand traced the scar upon her face, the line kept going and going. "How foolish to think that I-" "Sakakibara-san." A voice called to her. Her breath hitched in her throat, she turned quickly. Her eyes landed upon Kuroko, the invisible boy from the basketball team. Her once serious face became plastered into a grin. "Kuroko-kun. Going home so late?"
Kuroko stopped and looked at the sunset before responding. " Yes, I had library duty today. Why are you out here Sakakibara-san?" She fiddled with her long strands of hair."Shougo received detention so, I'm waiting for him. She looked off into the distance, eyes focusing on the sunset once more. "He seems much more irritable lately. I wonder if something's on his mind."
"Haizaki-san is feeling threatened by Kise, he's been disrupting practice a lot." Kuroko answered almost impassively. Her eyes narrowed with concentration. "That must be what he's been mumbling about ." Kuroko turned back to her. "Sakakibara-san, Can you please have Haizaki stop fighting with his teammates? He could get kicked off the team at this rate."
Mao's eyes darkened. "Impossible. A person as lowly as me doesn't have the authority to get him to listen." Kuroko was going to ask her to clarify, but was cut off by the door behind them opening. Haizaki stepped out of the room with an annoyed face. Mao tensed upon seeing his expression. " Were you fighting again?"Mao chided while examining his face. She stuck her hand out, only to have it smacked away.
"None of your business. I do what I want." He growled irritably. " "I see." she mumbled. Haizaki turned away from her crestfallen expression. "We're going." He announced before walking down the hall. She quickly turned to Kuroko. "It was nice speaking with you. I hope he'll be better next week." With a bow, the maroon haired girl gave a farewell. She flashed her underclassman a quick smile before following the silver haired boy.
Kuroko watched them disappear from his sight with one confirmation in mind. There was more to Haizaki's behavior that she wasn't telling him. Mao struggled to keep up with Haizaki, he seemed to be walking faster than irritable aura that surrounded him would gravitate trouble. "Haiza-nii, we should head home quickly." Mao thought of his mother, the image of the woman's face pulled into a strained smile when her son came back home with deep injuries.
She frowned as she glanced at Haizaki's mix of injuries on his palm and the minuscule ones on his face. He spit on the sidewalk. He knew her diversion was to get him home, less worries for his mother. "Tch, it doesn't matter if she worries. Go home, you following me around like a stupid dog is annoying." Mao's frown deepened. You know I can't do that. Not only because my promise, but because I truly care for you Shougo." Haizaki scowled. "Not that I care about you." Mao smiled, knowing he didn't mean that. "I know, but I won't turn back upon my purpose."
He gave her an annoyed look. "Purpose? Stop being so persistent, it's creepy. Go home already." Mao tugged on her blazer sleeves, eyes shifting. "I will as soon as I ensure you make it home." He raised an eyebrow at her relentless pestering. They had passed the halfway point to his house, the rundown barber shop. She usually leaves when they reach the halfway point. She lives a little ways in the opposite direction of their slummy district.
"What are you planning"? He questioned harshly. Haizaki stopped walking abruptly, making Mao's shoes skidded a bit on the pavement, she turned to give him a questioning gaze. "Planning? I'm no-" His glare cut her off. She averted her eyes. "If I could just stay a bit longer. I'm sure your mother wouldn't mind." Haizaki thought for a moment, the last time Mao had persisted on staying with him was when that incident occurred.
"Is it that ugly hag?"He growled with a dangerous tone. "I'm fine! What happened long ago was an extreme situation." Mao assured, waving her hands in front of her face. "If she pulls that crap from last time, I'll beat the shit out of her." Haizaki hissed as his eyes trailed over the scar that marred her face. She shook her head. "You don't have to go so far for a person like me." Haizaki flicked her forehead."I told you earlier. What I do is none of your business."
Her hands immediately rubbed the spot on her forehead. "Uh, Why do you always hit the same spot? I guess you being you, isn't something that could be helped." She laughed somewhat bitterly. "Tch, what's that supposed to mean?" He grunted before stalking off into the direction of his house, Mao in tow. Haizaki sighed."If you don't wanna get left behind, hurry your ass up."
Her face lit up at his words." Do you mean?" He huffed."Don't get used to it." She laughed lightly, " You always say that though."
"Shut up."
"Sit still." Mao ordered again as she pressed the cotton down upon a cut on the corner of Haizaki's lips. He groaned, but complied. His eyes focused on his childhood friend with mild interest. It was strange seeing her focused face. Despite them being the same age, she looked mature to him. Her eyes sucked him in, the dark orbs seemed like an endless darkness. He liked how they looked.
Her hair was the color of pomegranates, he hated long scar that ran across her face made others turn away. Like her hair, he hated that scar. It reminded him of his faults, her faults. He could feel anger swelling within him, he diverted his attention back to her eyes. Despite her demeanor, her eyes were calculating. They were the same as they had always been, even in grade school: Eerie, cold, and strangely sparked with a desire.
He could feel her breath on his skin. She doesn't seem to be aware how close she his. Haizaki wondered if she did this to other guys. If she kept this up, she'd be bound to get devoured. "Mao." Her breath halted for a millisecond. She was surprised by his sudden calling of her name. She leaned back. "Something wrong? Did I press down too hard?" He smirked at the quick worry that crossed her features.
"I can see down your shirt from this angle." He teased. Her eyes flickered down, hoping he was bluffing. He wasn't. It seemed that Haizaki got an eyeful of plaid before he felt a stinging sensation in his eyes. "Oh, I think your eyes should rest a little. They must be strained after today." She smiled whilst pressing a wad of cotton onto his eyes. Haizaki hissed. "Oi!" Out of her peripheral she could see his hand moving up towards her with worrying speed.
In a flash, she dropped the wads and first aid kit. All Haizaki heard was the clatter of materials before he recovered his obscured vision. Mao was no longer in the bathroom and the door was ajar. He sighed and dumped the supplies in the sink, his brother would get it later. He could hear chatter from downstairs, mostly the exuberant voice of his mother followed by light laughter.
Haizaki made his way to kitchen to see his Mother standing over a pot, chattering with Mao and his brother sitting at the table. Mao shrieked at the sight of Haizaki approaching. She hid behind his younger brother Shou. "If you want to hit me, you'll have to get through Shou first." His ten year old looked up from his book. "Brother, you can't hit your wife. We don't support domestic violence." His mother nodded in agreement. "That's right Shougo, you can't treat my daughter-in-law this way.
He felt a vein pop."Hah? She's not my damn wife! Mao, get over here." Mao giggled as she maneuvered around the table, Haizaki following her movements. She tried to make a break for the door, Haizaki easily trapped her in his hold. The forehead flicking was relentless. "W-Wai-Ow! Haiz-Ouch! Help, DV, DV!" (1) His mother and brother laughed at the sight. His taciturn brother shook his head when they were done. "Your pda is disgusting."
Mao giggled and sat at the table. Haizaki followed in suit. Haizaki's mother, Shouko, placed plates of curry in front of them. She then sat with her own food. "Thank you for the food, and for letting me stay here tonight Shouko-san." The grey haired woman waved it off. "No worries Mao. You're always welcome here. If only Chun Nuo let me keep you.." "Kidnapping is illegal." Shou interjected. Mao's eyes flickered to Haizaki who was scarfing down his food in his usual uncouth manner. "You know the curry isn't going anywhere." The grey haired teen glared. "You say something?" She frowned. "I said, the curry isnt-"
Shouko watched the two bicker. She smiled at the two, it was indeed a scene that warmed her heart. It had taken her a long time to get the girl to open up to her, but her bickering with Haizaki had never changed. She truly hopes to keep Mao around no, it was her mission. For now, she's content with just watching. "Ah, youth.." She sighed wistfully.
(1)- Domestic Violence
Omake 2:
"Mao, can you pass me the grounded herbs from that cabinet?"
"Sure. Shouko-san, is it this bottle?"
"Ara?"
"Hmm?"
"This is from my wedding night."
"What is it? Why is it with the spices?"
"Well it does taste a little spicy. Well it gets eaten, but.."
"But?"
"It makes you feel really good."
"I'm going home."